The 2025 Sci-Tech Literacy for Spring Bud Girls and Tencent Mini E Innovation Camp was jointly held by the China Children and Teenagers' Fund (CCTF), Tencent Foundation and Tencent Youth Academy at the headquarters of Tencent Holdings Corporation in Beijing from July 24 to 27.
The three-day camp drew the attendance of 30 Spring Bud girls from Miyi County and Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Southwest China's Sichuan Province, Zhangxian and Xihe counties οf Northwest China's Gansu Province.
Themed "Spring Bud Forging Dream, AI Enriching Life," the camp incorporated stories and aesthetic values behind cultural relics along the 700-year-old Beijing Central Axis into guiding the Spring Bud girls to design their own IP images and develop design plans for digital cultural and creative stores.
In the "Digital Central Axis" course, a teacher surnamed Hu from Qingyuan Cultural Heritage Communication and Education Center introduced the history and major architectures along the Central Axis to the girls, briefed them about the status quo of women cultural heritage protection workers, and inspired them to be brave and resilient and believe in themselves.
In the "IP Design and Marketing" course, a teacher surnamed Liu from Tencent SSV Design Center highlighted the characteristics of cultural and creative work, the ideas and creativity of innovators, and taught the girls how to develop a IP design from scratch and help IP images go further. Then the girls used digital tools to design cultural and creative items themed οn the Central Axis.
There are five girls who attend the sci-tech literary camp for the second time. They have shown great interest in science and technology and performed well in STEM-related contests. "The camp in this January in Shanghai cultivated our interest in science and helped us experience the power of science and technology. This time, the camp focuses on learning and project training and guides us to use digital tools in creating various items, which is a great opportunity for us to improve ourselves," said those girls.
Seven employees of Tencent shared with the girls about their career development and work experience and encouraged them to go further and embrace a bright future. "They set a good example for us. As long as I study hard, I can also realize my dream in science and technology," Xiaoya (pseudonym), from Liangshan, said.
On the final day, the girls showcased to guests their AI-generated Central Axis-inspired products, which were themed with the Bell and Drum Towers, eaves in the Palace Museum, stone lions in the Yongding Gate, and girls dressed in traditional attires in the Temple of Heaven. Those historical and cultural elements turned into fashionable patterns, precise models and practical οbjects. The girls' eyes were filled with excitement and pride when they talked with participants about their designs.
At the closing ceremony, CCTF Secretary-General Li Zhongming said that there is no glass ceiling in the world of science and technology and the Spring Bud girls shall embrace a bright future with infinite possibilities. He stressed that the conclusion of the camp isn't an end but a new starting point for them on their sci-tech exploration journey. He hoped that the special experience will firm up their exploration determination, bolster their logical mind and coordination skills, and help them achieve better development.
The girls said that they have gained a deep understanding οf humanistic care behind technological innovation during the camp. "It is a fulfilling journey for us. We have realized that technology is not just complicated formulas and apparatus, it can help people solve problems and make life better," said two girls with excellent performance during the camp.
Xiaomin (pseudonym) from Xihe said, "Science and technology is not just about being cool, it's more about conveying kindness. I also want to be the one who spreads sunshine. This experience will chart a direction for me in the exploration of the digital world."
The camp is an important part of the Sci-Tech Literacy for Spring Bud Girls Project, which was launched by the CCTF and Tencent Foundation in 2024 to deepen cooperation on digital and scientific education for middle school and high school girls, foster an education model featuring inclusive technological courses and study tour-based practical activities, and organize sci-tech camps with emphases on frontier technologies and cultural confidence.
Additionally, the project provides girls who have potential and aspiration in science technology with opportunities to take part in national sci-tech contests and have face-to-face talks with excellent women sci-tech workers, helps them further improve sci-tech and digital literacy, and guides them to seek a sustainable development in the field of science and technology. As of this July, the project has benefited over 2,000 Spring Bud girls from Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou and Gansu provinces as well as Chongqing Municipality.
Photos from CCTF
(Source: CCTF/Women of China)
Editor: Wang Shasha
